My Town

Letters to the Editor

Pacifica Tribune

Posted:
12/04/2012 05:08:10 PM PST

Updated:
12/04/2012 05:08:11 PM PST

Peace at last

Editor:

I do not know if Pacificans contacting various American Government entities, as urged by Delia McGrath (letters Nov. 21), was responsible for ending the "assault on Gaza," but I am glad that there is (as of this writing) a truce between Hamas and Israel. I agree with her that "bombing is not the answer to our concerns" regarding conflicts in the middle east, and with her wish for "peace to all." I hope she will now, in this brief moment of calm, join me in urging all Pacificans to do whatever they can to also end the assaults on Israel, including the one coming so relentlessly from Gaza.

Gerald Luckham

Manor District

Views from the Right

Editor:

Much thanks to the contributor from Pedro Point who presented his reading of the history of economics and fiscal policy for the past 60 or so years (Nov 21). While assertions I make in an opinion piece may be over generalized and broad for interest, they are not fictional nor are the conclusions silly. The point is that fiscal policies that favor the upper end of the economic spectrum, historically, have been followed by excess and ultimately recession. Just what Keynesian-based theory is designed avoid. However, no single theory is preeminent. Both can work together. The other correction I would make of this review is that any "adult" that will dismiss the validity of socially ethical economic thinking in "a few minutes" seems neither mature nor deep thinking. But keep 'em comin'. It's interesting to see how thinly explored some views from the right can be.

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John Blanchard

Linda Mar

The Dog Park

Editor:

The Dog Park -- where dogs can run free off-leash. They're free to play nice and free to be bullies. I was at the Sanchez Art Center as a member using the Ceramics Room located on the Dog Park side of the building around noon on Thursday, Nov. 15, when I heard snarling and growling of what sounded like a dog fight. I had time to go out and observe the lunging still in progress. The dog which seemed to be on the offensive was fifty feet away from its owner who was trying to order one of his two dogs away. The man had a prosthetic leg so, of course, he couldn't run over to get his pit bull mix dog. The lady owner of the dog was tugging her dog away. I expected some person or, at least, the dog to be injured. The woman started examining her dog after there was separation. The man was rather nonchalant and threw a ball to the far end of the field for his two dogs.

Another lady leashed-up her dogs and said, "I'm out of here." To recollect, it seems that there two young mothers inside the big dog pen, one even with a sling carried child. They were not anxious to get away. I thought it was a precarious proximity for children. I went back to the Ceramics Room and ten or 15 minutes later, there was another dog fight. After a few moments I went for a look. There was the man with his two dogs and no one else except one elder gentleman was sitting on the bench with his dog. I did not witness the onset of the fights. I only saw the aftermath. What had been a playground full of sounds of fetch and happy humans was now devoid of humans and fun. Just one man was slinging balls for the pleasure of his dogs which prompted me to walk to the fence and ask him, "Whose dog started the fight?" He answered, "the dog's having a bad day," but not really saying his dog started it. Maybe he thought the other dog started it. I think all the other people voted with their feet by leaving when it was obvious he was not going to rein in his dog and remove himself and his animals. Rule No. 1 -- Don't Bring a Nasty Dog. I wondered why no one screamed at him to get his dogs and get out. Were they being polite because of his handicap? Would another witness come forth and tell what you know? I know if I was attacked by a dog in that mood, I would wish that I would have at least some pepper spray.

If I had a dog, I'd rather walk him on leash than throw him in that dog pit.

John Meria

Sharp Park

Devil's Slide Coast Recreation Area

Editor:

A big hearty Pacifican thank you to Dan Underhill for spreading the word on upcoming positive changes happening on Devil's Slide.

My added notes to the free shuttle plug is this.

We need a non-highway shoulder multiuse trail from behind Linda Mar Ace hardware that will allow bicyclists+walkers a way to access Devil's Slide. Why this option wasn't part of Caltrans mitigation obligations leaves me (almost) speechless.

This recreational trail will draw tourists to the eateries+market at Pedro Point, bringing the much-needed out of town monies Dan speaks of.

As things sit now, driving ones motor vehicle+ hoping for one of perhaps a dozen parking spots to be available to park, taking SamTrans bus No. 294 during the week or bus No. 17 on weekends, or riding the free shuttle will be the only way other than walking or riding ones bicycle along shoulder-less Highway 1?

Without this trail, I don't see much of a difference to what we have now -- folks passing through on their way to somewhere else.

The communities to the south have been diligently parceling together a nonmotorized trail to access the future Devil's Slide walking-pedaling route.

This multi-use trail up from Linda Mar will add tremendous access value to the Devil's Slide rec area, just observe the amount of trails users along Linda Mar Beach, Rockaway, Mori Point, Promenade and the Pier and you will see my point.

We in Pacifica need this non-motorized trail to be in the chute now!

Jim Sullivan

Linda Mar

Got lies?

Editor:

The funny thing about the highway widening process to widen Highway 1 between Rockaway and Vallamar from four lanes to six is the amount of flat-out lying that has been going on by not only city engineering staff and San Mateo County Transportation Authority engineering staff, but also CalTrans engineering staff.

You may wonder what those lies are, or not, but they are simple lies that, thanks to the revelations of minutes from the "behind closed doors" meetings of the widening Project Development Team, shows that the group has been working on a six-lane solution with little or no regard for less expensive alternatives but also lying through their collective teeth about other aspects of the project like it won't be growth inducing; meaning it won't foster an increase in development like home building.

That is perhaps the biggest little lie being told by the joint PDT. It has become quite clear that future development in the Quarry, along with the future development of a 40-acre parcel that is across the highway from the Quarry behind the Lutheran church, have not only been calculated into the project but promises have been made to the owner of the 40-acre parcel behind the Lutheran church that he will have highway access post project that he currently does not have. This promise was made several years ago by the PDT for the widening project and recorded in their minutes. The minutes to these meeting are available from either CalTrans or the SMCTA.

I can't stress enough the amount of lying going on by our senior staff, that of the SMCTA and CalTrans about the widening project. And it's all there in black and white recorded by them during their own secret little boys club PDT meetings. If you take the time to read these documents you will see the staffers of the three different agencies even lie to each other.

Like I said, the widening process has become one very big funny lie. Correction: it's been a very big funny lie from the get go.

Todd McCune Bray

Rockaway Beach

Thank you, City Council

Editor:

On behalf of myself and the other Pacifica Beach Coalition members, I would like to thank the Pacifica City Council members for approving the plastic bag ban for the City of Pacifica. Having picked up tens of thousands of plastic bags each year and a hundred times in broken down plastic pieces, the Pacifica Beach Coalition is very excited for Earth Day 2013 when we will begin to witness first hand the environmental benefits of this ordinance.

Thank you Pacifica residents for your support of this ordinance. Without your will and support for the ban, our council would never have passed this!

Lynn Adams

Fairmont

A message from St. Edmund's

Editor:

Dear Chris Woods,

I wonder if you know someone is spray painting your name on buildings around Pacifica, including my church. I figure it must be someone other than you because I can't imagine you would be foolish enough to paint your own name on a building. Either way, we have added your name to our prayer list and we will pray for you by name at each Sunday service for the next few months.

God bless,

Sue Thompson

Vicar, St Edmund's Episcopal Church

A nice gift

Editor:

The end of the year is at hand and Christmas and New Year is a time of good spirits and sharing. If you know someone who does not get our great hometown paper, the Tribune, you could surprise them with a year's subscription. It only costs $22 for seniors for a year of good news, information on Pacifica's happenings and the many places to find adventures in our city. I know I look forward to Wednesday mornings to sit back with my coffee and newspaper. It is such a nice way to start my day. I always find some interesting fact to share with my neighbors. I would not trade the experience.